Switching to fibre broadband - combined router/modem?

ilikecookies

Hello,

I am currently with PlusNet and am considering switching from ADSL to fibre as it has now been enabled at our exchange.

I understand that unlike ADSL the modem and router for fibre has to be plugged into the master socket and wired connections taken from here outwards (which of course renders all the existing extension sockets in the house useless).

Annoyingly our master socket is in a really inconvenient location (middle of the kitchen!) and where possible I'd prefer to have devices on wired connections. As such I'd like to reduce the amount of kit needed to sit by the master socket. I understand that BT would install a fibre modem and my ISP would supply a router. If possible I'd like to combine these to just one box. So is it possible to buy a combined modem/router for fibre connections? If so, could anyone point out some good models?

Thanks in advance!

kwikbreaks

Combined VDSL modem routers don't come cheap. Most ISPs now do provide combined ones though.

You can get what is called a data extension fitted at install time which will allow you to position the modem pretty much where you chose although there are some limitations on cable routing. https://www.plus.net/home-broadband/faqs/fibre-optic-broadband/#master-socket

enfield_freddy

lots of different setups , not sure about plusnet , but talk talk supply the "souper router" which is a combined modem and router , they also change the master socket to a duel one , on for phones and one for the router , in my situation I have used a 10 m extension to move the modem/router to a more convienient spot , with no loss of signal , https://sales.talktalk.co.uk/product/fibre/superrouter




I "think" you can use a similar device to replace the two items supplied by plusnet , ASUS DSL-N66U , I think is a sutable one http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00GORC5WO?keywords=ASUS%20DSL-N66U&qid=1444166174&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

ilikecookies

Thanks both for your replies.

Quick question on the extension kit - does this simply plug into the altered face plate on the master socket?

I ask because if so I'd probably get the BT engineer to tweak the master socket and keep the modem/router there for a while until I figure out where to best run the extension cable. Or do he have to hardwire the extension in at the time?

enfield_freddy

mine is a simple rj11 extension lead , as per http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.TRS0&_nkw=+rj11+extension+lead+&_sacat=0


mine is a plug on either end , one to the BT master and one in the combo unit , been like this for several yrs now

enfield_freddy

well I have just been googling , seems that plusnet are going over to self install in some cases ,


http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2050434


2 options


1: engineer attaches correct cables in csabinet (outside) , come to your house , changes faceplate and plugs in the combo unit that has come thru the post from plusnet


2: engineer does his cabinet , comes to you changes faceplate then collects 2 units from the back of his van

ilikecookies

Sorry to sound thick but with the self-install an OpenReach engineer still needs to change the faceplate right? It's just on the self-install he doesn't plug in the modem?

I ask as reading the link folks seemed to suggest an engineer isn't even needed in the home - you just plug in your modem and off you go which can't be right.

flashg67

I believe that the BT Homehub 5 can be used with Plusnet fibre - been looking into it myself as I currently have the seperate modem and router set up (with Plusnet)

enfield_freddy

ilikecookies wrote: »

Sorry to sound thick but with the self-install an OpenReach engineer still needs to change the faceplate right? It's just on the self-install he doesn't plug in the modem?

I ask as reading the link folks seemed to suggest an engineer isn't even needed in the home - you just plug in your modem and off you go which can't be right.

"I THINK" but not sure , if they don't change the faceplate for a duel one you still have to use filters , with a twin facia , which you can buy (ebay etc) you do not need filters


when talk talk did mine , router unit came thru post , engineer did outside work , arrived at my house and changed faceplate , then tested line and plugged my extension lead in


but that was talk talk

Neil49

I switched from Talk talk adsl to BT fibre earlier this year and everything came from BT for a home installation.

On the day of the switch I unplugged the Talktalk router and plugged in the BT Homehub 5 into the phone socket extension in my lounge then sat back and waited. Once I had a message from BT to say I had switched I powered up the Homehub and away I went.

The Homehub is a single combined router modem and looks like any other wireless router. There haven't been any problems running from the extension phone socket in my lounge and I am getting 37 Mb/sec. I hadn't realised some installations required 2 separate units.

The whole switchover process was quick and simple and went without any problems which amazed me given BT's reputation!

kwikbreaks

The engineer installed faceplate is filtered - you get a phone and modem/router socket on the front and need no filters. Without such a faceplate, which you can buy (from eg ADSLNation) and fit yourself if you want, you'll need to filter all the phone sockets. As with ADSL it is better to have a filtered faceplate.

If the Openreach engineer fits a "data extension" it will be plugged into the modem port on the faceplate and tacked aound the skirting board to where you want to site the modem. That could just as easily be a DIY job after the install (what freddy says he has done). Check reviews if you go this route as some have bad reports .

Any VDSL router on sale in the UK will work but as I said none are very cheap.

It looks like TP-Link do one which is (predictably) the cheapest - https://www.google.co.uk/search?tbm=shop&q=VDSL+router&hl=en&gws_rd=ssl

It is always Openreach (or more often than not their subcontractors) that do the install. The only difference between ISPs is what kit they supply. If it isn''t a VDSL router then there will be an Openreach modem provided and the option of a cable router although you can use your own as I have.